Hawthorne Elementary Scholastic Academy

3319 North Clifton Avenue

School District

Chicago Public Schools
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on April 24, 2024

My daughter was accepted into early entry kindergarten and we were initially a little taken back by the amount of homework for a 4 year old, but her ability to adjust was eased by her patient and understanding teachers and collaborative learning environment. I am grateful for the staff and am impressed with how much my daughter has learned in such a short period of time. A student's realized potential is really a product of their environment.
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2023

We have been at Nettelhorst for three years. Overall, our experience has been very positive. We love the community of families who attend here. Having a neighborhood school where most parents walk or bike their kids to the kids, is amazing. There is lots of time to connect with the community. Parents are very involved in the school and there is a lot of support for families to be active. Most of the teachers at the school are really excellent and have significant experience and bring an organized and well balanced classroom.My one disappointment was we started the first year after the pandemic where all schools were fully "in person". The teacher we were supposed to have was on maternity leave and instead we had a "fill in" teacher who had never taught in person. I will fully admit, a room of kids who had essentially been kept home for 2 years would have been a handful for ANYONE, but this teacher needed a lot of help and I don't feel that she got it. Overall, the after school activities they provide are incredible. They offer things like cooking classes, guitar, violin, choir, robotics, improv, martial arts, comic art, it goes on and on. I have overall been really happy with the school. My son enjoys learning and has progressed well without stress and is excited to go to school every day.
Submitted by other on August 23, 2020

Some teachers may recognize a few of these stories and may even recognize who I am, but I am tired of still feeling like I haven't gotten my last word out to this school. This school would be a great fit for anyone who is looking for a great academic experience, regardless of the human cost it comes with. It really depends on where your family stands with the typical American lifestyle. If you know your child is a naturally artistic person, be prepared to negotiate with the teachers at Hawthorne. At least at my time there, they weren't appreciative of art and music at a large scale. It wasn't considered "educational" which is completely false. Small disclaimer: these reviews will be pretty biased because of my hard experiences at this school. You really have to think about your own values as you read this.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2020

Amazingly effective and is a great place for kids who want to learn
Submitted by parent on April 05, 2020

I wish I would have never sent my children to this school. The academics are great, but there is a real human cost. My son still suffers from the treatment he endured at this school. It’s a no.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2018

The teachers at Hawthorne are wonderful! My son has grown so much in his three years and we are both looking forward to the rest of his time here.
Submitted by student on April 26, 2017

The teachers here are amazing and the kids are really nice! best school that I have even been to!
Submitted by other on August 30, 2016

Amazing administration, parents, children and staff. Business-like, strategic organization, while very warm and caring. Love it!
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2015

Hawthorne 3 yr experience. Parent's, assumed I was the nanny when waiting for my child, My child by his kindergarten teacher was referred to as an 'animal', and "hell" continued from there on. Hawthorne Academy has very few teachers /staff that aren't living in a bubble and will teach and treat every child equally. Principal and other admin /faculty will be too busy with fund raising, picture taken, and presenting this school to be a place for everyone to care what is going on with the less represented population.Bottomline. Donate $10,000 you'll likely have your voice heard & your own parking spot. Give the required you'll need to either leave or conform. A school where some "educators" & Staff are nestled in a quiet, small bubble, in both location and mind #Hawthorne is lacking the exposure needed to educate ALL students .Careful what you allow to enter your child's mind. Once it's there, it's difficult to find and erase. My child and I were poorly affected by Hawthorne Academy Chicago. There are great schools, maybe this one is great for you, but for me, for my son. This school has created HELL, pain, and many nights of tears, and anxiety. I don't wish to give bias or share anything that will hinder another from a place that may be a great fit for you, so I've omitted a few experiences, but, I must be very very honest when I say, be very careful where you place your children. Don't rely on rankings and smiling faces. Be present, listen, and advocate for your child no matter where you chose. Hawthorne Academy in Chicago Lakeview is just not the place I'd personally recommend.
Submitted by parent on September 05, 2015

My experience has been that my child, who recieves special education services, is being pushed through and not receiving the same level of service as other students who are without learning disabilities.I'm concerned that staff aren't trained and/or equipped to fully deliver the services required to teach students that aren't already advanced and/or at level. The overall energy at Hawthorne is one that I'll admit is positive and it's clear staff care and administration cares. I fully understand with hundreds of students it's a tough job, and I don't wish to discount those that are doing an excellent job. My goal is to give a more rounded perspective and realistic expectations prior to enrolling your child. I've found that there is a certain degree of politics at Hawthorne. Because I am a parent with a child that struggles academically, due to a learning disability, I'm eager to have the best teachers trained and seasoned to help my child learn. I know if I had more time and money my experience at Hawthorne wouldn't be as poor. Unfortunately, the issues I have with Hawthorne mirrors those experienced by many parents across CPS, that feel their child isn't being taught, or regarded as others are. Diversity plays a huge part of the issues I've experienced. Staff that have worked with all children, not just advanced and at level children is low at Hawthorne. Lacking diversity Hawthorne is culturally out of sync with some students and unable to make the connection needed to understand how to teach my child. As I stated earlier, my experience is my own, I don't look to make this a negative post, or devalue the efforts of Hawthorne staff, but I do need to highlight that they're are children being passed through, because staff at Hawthorne aren't capable to teach them. Hawthorne is great for students that don't require special services. My experience is that my child is being passed through,learning very little and is in turn feeling hurt. I'm connected to what goes on with my child and communicate often with staff assigned to my child as well as administrators at Hawthorne. I'd just caution that if you can afford a private school, or you can find a school that specializes in special education seek out those schools.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2015

realllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllly good school a great safe environment teachers help you guide you throught hardships like if your having problems to understand they can help you
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2015

My daughter is in kindergarten at Hawthorne and we have been so pleased thus far. Her teacher is dedicated, responsive, and clearly up to date on best practices in education. The administration is very accessible (they chose to convert their offices into a conference room since they're not in the office ever) and really care about the success of each child. My daughter is an advanced learner and they have worked to challenge and meet her individual needs. We grappled with sending her to Hawthorne or a gifted program and are so happy that we chose the more well-rounded setting that will allow for both of our children to be at one school as well. The community of families is also very kind, welcoming, and accepting of the very diverse backgrounds of those that attend the school. As with any CPS school there is a focus on test scores, but that is to be expected - and I find it a testament to the education that Hawthorne does so well on the test with kids from all socioeconomic tiers and backgrounds. It's really a special place and we feel lucky to have gotten in.
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2014

Hawthorne is in great shape in a difficult environment for public schools and I credit the combined efforts of the current principal, staff, faculty, and families at the school. I see kids collaborate in small groups and approach problems from different perspectives. I see good relationships and talented people forming a powerful community with high standards and active fund raising. I saw an awesome dads [and a mom] band last night at Schubas. And every year I see well-prepared children graduate and move on to top high schools. We are very fortunate to be at this outstanding school. Keep it up Pietrini.
Submitted by parent on November 13, 2014

Hawthorne was a very unique and special school before we hired our current principal 2+ years ago...Mr. Pietrini. Sadly, as new families enroll each new school year they will never experience how amazing this school was before Pietrini. They will never understand how amazing it should & could be with the right person leading. Before Pietrini, we had a school environment that welcomed parents always and encouraged them to volunteer in whatever capacity they wished. We had an amazing Principal, Anna Alvarado and Vice Principle. They led with kindness, intelligence and respect. Always displaying trust & pride in their students and in return they received the same. Mrs. Alvarado knew each student by name and she made them her priority. Mr Pietrini is all about control, dictatorship, making unnecessary rules, locking the doors, withholding information, keeping parents away, patting himself on the back...and TEST SCORES. The past two years more than half of our teaching staff have left and many, many families have pulled their kids out as well. It's hard to watch what is happening to our school. I wish CPS would get involved because the parents are too scared to speak up.
Submitted by other on September 30, 2014

I am currently a student at Hawthorne and I can certainly admit that this school has been outstanding in academics and the student's here work as hard as they can to be they're best. --Although, as a student I believe that everything has changed and I don't agree with the choices made to the school. The principal is suddenly taking away traditional events and changing everything Hawthorne once was without letting the students get a chance to decide whether if they were okay with that choice or not. To me, I'm afraid in the next two years, future students won't be able to experience what they're older brother/sister/etc did. I realize that Principal's can make however many changes to "their" school, but changing-- or taking traditional things away and not considering the students' opinions is quite unfair.
Submitted by other on May 26, 2014

I'm a student and I love it at Hawthorne. Due to this schools rigorous curriculum and dedicated staff I've been lucky enough to receive offers to some of the best high schools in the state. I understand that it may not be ideal for everyone but a thing many teachers stress about our work is independence and taking initiative. To succeed at HSA you have to be comfortable talking, interacting, and stepping up. I am comfortable talking to my teachers, asking for advice, and going to them when I need it. Many parents get angry because the teachers don't hover over everyone giving them their full attention every second, but who can? With a class of 32 kids, that's a difficult expectation. Hover parents won't fly; instead prepare your child to not have their hand held all the time. Hawthorne is great preparation for highschool and the real world, I honestly couldn't be more thankful I attended.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2014

Hawthorne staff work well together to provide an excellent, A+ education to all the children in the school. I have personally experienced much aid from the special education department that I will be eternally grateful too. Unfortunatelly, I wish the school were closer, but most of the time we need to sacrifice to get the best out of life anyway.
Submitted by other on August 19, 2013

Hawthorne has great academics but its the most private of all the CPS elementary schools. There is a strong lack of diversity here but otherwise, Hawthorne is a great place to be.
Submitted by parent on August 13, 2013

Hawthorne is one of the better CPS schools. My son is learning much more than he ever did/could at our neighborhood school. The diverse learning environment is invaluable.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2013

Very impressed with the progress my daughter made this past year. The teachers are amazing and very committed. I am also very pleased with the energy the new principal brings.